Are floor openings guarded with a standard railing? Are floor holes guarded or covered?

2.

Are open-sided floors and platforms 6 ft (1.8 m) or more above the floor or ground guarded by a standard railing or the equivalent?

3.

Are there standard railings on runways that are 4 ft (1.2 m) or more above floor or ground level?

4.

Are the tops of standard railings about 42 in (106.7 cm) from the floor?

5.

Will standard railings withstand a 200 lb (896 N) impact at any point?

6.

Are stairways in good condition and standard railings provided for every flight having four or more risers?

7.

Are hollow pan stair treads filled in with solid material to eliminate tripping?

Lead in Construction

YES

NEEDS
ACTION

1.

Has a determination been made as to the possibility of airborne lead exposure on the job? (Significant airborne lead exposures can occur when welding, cutting, and grinding are performed during structural street demolition and renovation.)

2.

If it has been determined that employees may be exposed to airborne lead, have you:

If exposures exceed the permissible exposure level, have the following additional requirements been met?

a.

use of engineering and work practice controls to reduce exposures

b.

use of adequate personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection

c.

prohibition of food and beverage consumption and smoking in exposure areas

d.

establishment of a food and beverage consumption area

e.

establishment of a change area with storage facilities

f.

provision of washing facilities

g.

posting of warning signs at the exposure area

Ladders

YES

NEEDS
ACTION

1.

Are employees made aware that metal ladders are not to be used where they may contact electrical conductors or equipment?
Are they also aware that metal ladders cannot be used when working on or near electrical equipment such as changing light bulbs or fluorescent tubes?

2.

Are ladders with broken or missing rungs or split side rails tagged and taken out of service?

3.

Are metal ladders inspected for damage or signs of corrosion?

4.

Are portable wood ladders and metal ladders adequate for their purpose, in good condition, and provided with secure footing?

5.

Are areas around the top and bottom of the ladder kept clear?

6.

Are portable ladders used at such a pitch that the horizontal distance from the top bearing to the foot of the ladder is about 1/4 of the working length of the ladder?

7.

Are ladders prohibited from being used in a horizontal position as platforms, runways or scaffolds?

8.

Are portable ladders tied, blocked or otherwise secured against movement?

9.

Are filler blocks placed between the cleats of job-made wooden ladders?

10.

If simultaneous two-way traffic is expected, is a double cleat ladder installed?

11.

Are double cleat ladders 24 feet or less in length?

12.

Are single cleat ladders 30 feet or less in length?

13.

Is the width of single cleat ladders at least 15 inches, but not more than 20 inches?

14.

Are the rungs of ladders uniformly spaced at 12 inches center to center?

15.

Are the side rails of the ladder extending at least 36 inches above the landing?

Lift Trucks

YES

NEEDS
ACTION

1.

Are powered industrial trucks examined before being placed into service for any conditions that may adversely affect the safety of the vehicle?

Are 5 foot-candles of illumination provided throughout the general construction area?

2.

Are the workshops and storerooms provided with 10 foot-candles (107.6 LUX) of illumination?

3.

Is the first aid station illuminated to 30 foot-candles (322.8 LUX)?

4.

Are light guards provided where there is a possibility of breakage?

5.

Are the light fixtures raised above the workers’ heads?

6.

Are wire guards grounded to the electrical grounding system?

7.

Are stairways, floor opening, and wall opening areas well illuminated?

Lasers

YES

NEEDS
ACTION

1.

Are only trained and qualified employees assigned to operate laser equipment?

2.

Do laser operators carry proof of qualification?

3.

Are employees who may be potentially exposed provided with antilaser eye protection?

4.

Are placards warning of lasers posted in the laser use area?

5.

When the laser is not in use are beam shutters or caps used or is the unit turned off?

6.

Is it a strict requirement that the laser beam shall never be directed at employees?

Confined Spaces

YES

NEEDS
ACTION

1.

Is the internal atmosphere tested to ensure an oxygen level of not less than 19.5 percent?

2.

If the confined space is a manhole, is it impossible for vehicular exhaust or carbon monoxide to creep into the space?

3.

Has the space been examined for decaying vegetation or animal matter that may produce methane?

4.

Has the space been surveyed for possible industrial waste that may contribute to the accumulation of a toxic or combustible atmosphere?

5.

When there is inadequate natural air movement and forced ventilation is not provided, is the internal atmosphere tested for combustible gas and air contaminants?

6.

Is the space ventilated to a safe level before employees enter?

7.

If ventilation does not reduce or remove the hazardous substance, do employees wear an appropriate approved respirator to enter the space?

8.

Are employees trained in the use of respirators?

9.

Are electrical services other than lights made inoperable by padlock and tagging?

10.

Are employees inside and outside the confined space trained in rescue and CPR procedures?

11.

Is rescue equipment readily available for immediate use?

12.

Is there constant communication with employees in the immediate vicinity who are not in the confined space?

13.

Is there a written procedure covering entry under emergency conditions?

Access to Information About Hazardous & Toxic Substances

YES

NEEDS
ACTION

1.

Have you evaluated your work site for compliance with this law?

2.

Has a chemical information list been compiled?

3.

Have material safety data sheets (MSDS) been obtained or developed for all substances on the chemical information list?

4.

Are the chemical information list and the MSDS maintained in a manner that is accessible to employees within 1 working day? Is a copy provided within 5 days of a request?

5.

When new substances are brought on-site, are additional MSDS obtained?

6.

Has each employer provided for the exchange of information regarding hazardous chemicals used or stored on-site with all other employers at that site?

7.

Have employees been informed of their rights under this Law and procedures for obtaining information on hazardous substances?

8.

Have employees been trained about the hazards of the substances, appropriate work practices, control programs, protective measures, and emergency procedures?

Protecting the Workers’ Health

Although many safety hazards are apparent upon a simple examination of equipment and procedures, occupational health hazards require a more thorough evaluation. Identification and recognition of the hazard, evaluation of the potential problems, and the workplace control of exposures are key elements in protecting workers’ health.

RECOGNITION - Read the labels from all materials in the workplace for material, composition, and precautions. Request a “material safety data sheet” for each material from a distributor or from the manufacturer. Listed will be corresponding OSHA exposure limits (PELs) or “threshold limit values” (TLVs) and information on personal protective equipment such as respirators, gloves, aprons, safety glasses; emergency spills; labeling criteria; and emergency information.

EVALUATION - Study the work process in which the material is used to determine if a hazard has been created. Evaluate the way workers handle the materials. Does the worker breathe this substance or does the substance go through his or her skin? Are workers exposed to enough of this substance to create a problem?

WORKPLACE CONTROL - In order to prevent health problems before they start, certain measures can be taken to control exposure. Are ventilation or process controls used when feasible? If the material is extremely toxic, can a less toxic substance be substituted? Are hazardous substances labeled and are workers knowledgeable of the hazard? Are appropriate personal protective devices provided when engineering and/or administrative controls are not adequate or feasible? Are medical exams provided when workers are exposed to certain substances?